Union hold East-leading Impact to 0-0 draw

CHESTER — There’s a point of pride uttered often among the 2013 Philadelphia Union focusing on an impressive stat: Through the season’s first sixth months, the team hadn’t lost back-to-back games in MLS play.

With Eastern Conference leaders Montreal coming to town, that credential would face a still test Saturday. And while it remains true after the Union’s 0-0 draw with the Impact, it’s not the ideal result for their playoff hopes.

The Union have had draws that have felt like losses and ones that have felt like wins, and it seemed this one was somewhere in between.

“I would say we’re a little disappointed not getting the three points there,” Union manager John Hackworth said. “We executed our game plan and got the chances and didn’t put them in the back of the net, and that happens. But overall, we played a good game, limited a very attack-oriented team and very dangerous team. It’s disappointing, but you’ve got to take it in perspective.”

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The Union (10-8-9, 39 points) have run into a bit of an offensive slump, with the team having found the net just once in the last 285 minutes. It’s the third scoreless draw they’ve played out this season, all in the last seven games.

The Union created openings, registering 12 shots and forcing four saves from Impact goalkeeper Troy Perkins. Perhaps the best chance, though, didn’t even get to Perkins.

Jack McInerney rose in the 78th minute for an unmarked header at the near post. But the Union striker could only get a glancing blow to the ball as it rolled out for a throw in.

It’s the latest installment of disappointment for the 21-year-old, who scored 10 goals in the season’s first 14 MLS matches but has been scoreless in the last 10.

“It’s one of those things where the team just kind of depends on me to score and when I do get that one chance, I have to finish it,” McInerney said. “I didn’t do it tonight, and I kind of let my team down.”

The last time the two teams met in May, the Union allowed five goals in a 5-3 loss at the Saputo Stadium. The Union came off a 5-1 loss last week at New England, while Montreal saw off Houston by a 5-0 margin that moved them into sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference. But there would be no such result tonight, thanks in large part to the Union’s defensive effort.

Despite a Montreal front line featuring MLS’s leading scorer Marco Di Vaio, Montreal managed just four shots, only one of them finding goal.

The Union got a boost before the match with Keon Daniel and Ray Gaddis both revering from ankle injuries to start. The return of Gaddis, who missed the last two games, allowed the Union to slot Sheanon Williams into central defense for the suspended Amobi Okugo, with Gaddis filling in his more natural right back position. He delivered a clinical performance there.

“As a defensive unit, we don’t necessarily get enough credit,” Gaddis said. “But we’re OK with that. Sometimes those games happen, and we’re glad it happened when it did rather than when it could hurt us in the last couple games, but we always respond very well as a team. We bounced back with a shutout at home.”

Di Vaio had only two chances, none of which troubled Zac MacMath, who recorded his 10th clean sheet of the season, putting him in the league lead. The Italian striker had the ball in the back of the net in the 62nd minute, but it was called back for a clear offside.

“He only had that one chance at the end there, and that was off of a bad touch and somehow he was there for it. But all in all, it’s a good night when he’s not running at you or getting in behind you,” Parke said DiVaio. He didn’t have many chances tonight, and I think we did a good job at the back and as a team. We were organized well and hard to break down.”

Despite controlling large parts of the first half, the Union were almost beaten to a first goal by Montreal (12-7-6, 42 points). Former Union midfielder Justin Mapp pounced on a turnover by Fabinho in the midfield and fired a shot from 20 yards that MacMath fumbled in the 25th minute. Di Vaio looked to pounce on the rebound but was adjudged to be offside.

The Union’s best chance of the first half came in the 42nd minute. Montreal defender Jeb Brovsky was caught out by Danny Cruz, who squared a pass to Sebastien Le Toux near the penalty spot. Le Toux blasted one right into the chest of Perkins, who got over for the point-blank save. McInerney’s follow hit the side netting, but Perkins had his post well covered.

The Union almost had the opener in the 57th when McInerney tested Perkins from distance. The goalkeeper could only beat the ball away with his fists, but defender Hassoun Camara got his foot in front of an onrushing Le Toux to prevent further damage.